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Surimono Prints: Limited Edition Antique Japanese Art Book

Surimono – or 摺物, in Japanese – are a type of Japanese woodblock print. These gorgeous works of art were created privately for special occasions in Japanese culture, such as the New Year. They were created by various notable artists from about the 1790s to the 1830s, and the artist needed a great deal of technical skill to create the detail necessary to produce Surimono. The prints were created with shading and “floating” color for beautiful texture and lifelike depth, using gold, silver and copper in the final product.

The name “Surimono” literally translates to “printed thing”. The prints were created in very small numbers for highly educated people in Japan. Surimono prints were often more experimental in subject matter and artwork methods, yet more extravagant in printing technique, than commercial prints. They were often used by Japenese poetry societies as an award for the winning poem in poetry contests.Kabukiactors also commissioned surimono prints to commemorate important events in their careers, such as name changes or stage debuts of their son.

The antique book Surimono Prints by Elbow Edith Polster and Alfred H, Mark showcases various illustrations and poetry by artists and writers notable in Surimono. This limited edition art book includes a selection of beautiful prints with 541 captioned illustrations of woodblock prints, accompanied by poetry and descriptions. Includes contributions from artists such as Eisen, Gakutei, Gekko, Hiroshige, Hokusai, Hokkei, Kosai, Kosetsu, Kunimasa, Kuninori, Masunobo, Matora, and Rinsai, with by Shashofuku Michizure, Isosuzu Kawabito and more.